Sailing Story Archives - American Sailing

Articles in the category "Sailing Story"

A sailor at sunset in San Francisco

Five Waters, Five Lessons

From Colorado reservoirs to ocean racing, every body of water teaches something different. Here’s what varied sailing environments can teach you.
colorful sailboats on the water under a blue sky

The Summer I Started Sailing

A sailor reflects on a transformative first summer learning the unglamorous realities of sailing — and discovering themselves in the process.
fenders hanging over the side of a sailboat

Stow Your Fenders!

Your fenders did their job. Let them rest. Forgetting to stow your fenders while underway risks hull damage, safety hazards, and side-eye from every sailor you pass.
A sailboat on a sunny day

I Never Planned to Become a Sailor

One skeptical sail in Grenada turned into a passion for sailing and travel that reshaped her entire life—and now helps others find it too.

Vermin & Bugs & Wildlife Aboard, Oh My!

From mosquito swarms and stowaway rodents to curious wildlife, learn how experienced cruisers handle nature’s unexpected visitors.

The Future of Sailing

The Next Generation at the Helm explores youth sailing certifications, safety, and inspiring the future of sailing.

Across Oceans

Across Oceans explores the lessons, challenges, and self discovery found through five offshore races.
A sailing instructor and his students

Educating, Influencing and Inspiring

Sailing instructors do more than teach—they build confidence, shape mindset, and inspire lifelong journeys on and off the water.

Lessons Learned

From childhood swims to boat ownership and coaching, one woman’s journey shows how passion for the water can grow into confidence and career.

Terror at Night

Nighttime MOB Drills and Steering Failure at Sea reveals offshore lessons in seamanship problem solving and calm under pressure

Sailing in Force 8

Sailing in Force 8: Heavy Weather and a Measure of Rum explores seamanship, preparation, and the human side of surviving heavy seas.
Steerless Night

A Steer-less Night

A severely compromised Tayana 48 is forced to lie ahull during an all-night gale in an aborted attempt to reach the Caribbean.

Wrong Way Bash

The story of a hard fought delivery up the West Coast and the lessons learned bashing north against wind and sea.
10 Things I Wish I’d Known as a New Sailor

10 Things I Wish I’d Known as a New Sailor

10 Things I Wish I’d Known as a New Sailor shares practical lessons on confidence, safety, and seamanship learned through experience.
Sailing with Small Children

Growing Sailors

Cruising with Young Children shares practical tips for safely and joyfully introducing kids to family sailing adventures.

No Such Thing as MOB

No Such Thing as MOB reframes man overboard as a preventable event through smart habits and disciplined seamanship.

A Nevera

A firsthand account of surviving a rare Nevera storm in Croatia, split second decisions, crew heroism, and lessons every sailor should know.

A Misstep At Sea

A Misstep at Sea — a true offshore sailing story showing how one small decision spiraled into a dangerous chain of compounded mistakes, and the calm leadership that prevented disaster.